Just two days after Dhaka's International Criminal Tribunal issued an arrest warrant against Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Indian High Commissioner Prannoy Verma, appointed in Dhaka, visited Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday and held a meeting with Foreign Office Secretary Mohammad Jasim Uddin. Diplomatic sources claim that the meeting is very important in the ongoing tumult over Hasina's extradition. However, Pranay claims that it was merely a regular meeting. In his words, 'We discussed the security and development of the two countries. We have a positive bilateral relationship. We depend on it above. I think this relationship of interdependence needs to be taken further.'
Dhaka journalists wanted to know from Pranay, whether there was any discussion on the issue of Hasina staying in Delhi or not? In response, the High Commissioner of India said that there was no specific discussion on this matter. However, an official of the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka said on condition of anonymity that the Hasina-issue was discussed between them. The secretary spoke to Prannoy Verma on the advice of Dhaka's foreign adviser.
An arrest warrant has been issued in Hasina's name and an order has been issued to arrest Hasina and produce her before the tribunal by November 18. Although there are some legal tussles, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain has already said that the interim government will take strong steps to bring back Hasina.
The interim government also has headaches over reforms and elections. A number of political parties and coalition organizations held a second round of meetings with Chief Advisor to the Interim Government Muhammad Yunus on Saturday as part of a series of discussions on twin issues. According to the sources, most of the parties have offered to hold elections after completing the reforms quickly. BNP also raised the same demand in the first day's meeting.
Before the polls, the BNP had increased the pressure by asking for quick reforms. Rather, Jamaat-e-Islami's position is somewhat different. However, they are also reportedly seeking to give extra 'time' to the interim government to strengthen state reform measures before the polls.
